US Public Attitudes on Animal Welfare During a Disease Outbreak: Strengthening Animal Disaster Management, Pandemic Preparedness, and the Sustainability of US Agriculture

Abstract

This study utilized quantitative methodology in a national online survey to investigate the US public’s beliefs and attitudes regarding human–animal conflicts during the COVID-19 pandemic, with a view to understanding their willingness to consider animals’ interests during a disease outbreak. Our results suggest that the norms regarding prioritizing animal welfare are closely linked to respondents’ sense of relationship with animals and that the development of plans and processes for animal disease management, an essential component of public health preparedness systems, should be informed by the value commitments and ethical motivations of a diverse range of the US public.